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How to declutter (Time 4 U Thursday)Zen Mind: How to Declutter
When, on the other hand, I walk out into a living room cluttered with toys and books and extra things all over the place, it is chaos and my mind is frenetic. I’ve been a simplifier and a declutterer for years now (probably 8-9 years) and I’ve gotten pretty good at it, but I’ve found that you have to keep coming back to revisit your clutter every once in awhile. Here are my top decluttering tips:
Pretend You're Who You Want to Be (Time 4 U Thursday)Pretend You’re Who You Want to BeEvery Thursday is Happiness Day on Zen Habits. To be happy, it is important that we become happy with who we are — accept ourselves, recognize our good traits, accept our flaws, and come to see those flaws as actually good and unique parts of us. But if you’re like me, there’s always something we want to change — and in keeping with the philosophy of this site, for me that’s changing my daily habits to help me reach my goals. The problem is, many people just don’t believe they are the type of person who can achieve that goal — they have a negative self-image, and that negativity will stop them from success every time. Positive thinking is the key to any kind of achievement. So today’s quick happiness tip is simple: think about the goal you want to achieve, imagine the kind of person who has already achieved that goal or created that habit, and pretend you are that person. Let’s take a quick example: If I want to start running, to make running a daily habit, I think about runners I know or have read about. I read about their habits, their lifestyle, and imagine what it’s like to be them. Then, I pretend I’m a runner myself. I think about what it’s like to be a runner, how a runner would act, how a runner thinks and feels, what a runner’s habits are. I take the identity of a runner, and make it my own. Soon, I believe I’m a runner. And here’s the magic: it becomes true! Just by pretending it, and assuming that identity, I become a runner. I think and act like one. And if I’m a runner, what do I do every day? I run. This magical trick can work for any goal, and for any person. Imagine that you are that person, and you will be. Take 5 years off your face (Time 4 U Thursday)Hey everyone. I've missed ya. Sorry for the lull between entries. I managed the 3+ weeks I was away.. but come home and life's busy, hectic pace kept me from making entries daily.
But, I am back. For however long....?
Take 5 years off your face
Dermatologists share secrets for fighting dullness, lines and dark spots
By Lisa Cohen
Self
Updated: 2:29 p.m. ET Aug 5, 2007 It’s been said that you can get a glimpse of your future face by taking a look at your mother. But today, an array of anti-aging options proves that the adage is no longer true — or at least that it doesn’t have to be. Cutting-edge skin care and dermatologist-office procedures are allowing us to anti-age on a daily basis, granting tighter, more even-toned skin not only weeks from now, but decades down the road. Once the only way to turn back the clock, surgical procedures are decreasing, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Los Alamitos, California, notes. And nonsurgical alternatives are up. (Use of Botox has increased 283 percent since 2002, with docs now doling out 3.8 million injections a year.) That’s no surprise, given the upside: less pain, recovery time and cost, plus noticeable results. Beyond professional treatments, over-the-counter options get more sophisticated by the season. SELF talked to experts and scoured the skin-care industry to bring you the best at-home options and their counterparts in the doc’s office. Pinpoint your issue, choose the right solution, and get ready for decades more of gorgeous skin. Complexion complaint: Dull skin, rough texture
Fix it in your bathroom. Acid-based at-home peels can be irritating and complicated with their multiple steps. The kinder, one-step option: resurfacing serums made with dead-skin dissolvers such as glucosamine (a sugar) and arginine (derived from brown rice). They’re meant to be used every day, perking up skin in a month or so. Apply at night after cleansing, before moisturizing. And skip scrubs to avoid skin sensitivity. Complexion complaint: Lines and wrinkles Fix them in your bathroom. Topical peptides may help smooth out fine lines by sending a signal to the nerves to slow down muscle movement. Instead of creams, choose new, more potent serums that form an invisible covering on skin, maximizing absorption. (You’ll see patch in the name, such as YSL’s, at left.) For deeper furrows, choose a cream made with hyaluronic acid (look for sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronate spheres, used in products by Olay and L’Oréal, at left). It penetrates the skin and draws moisture into the upper layers to temporarily fill wrinkles, Dr. Beer says. Use either product on freshly cleansed skin so nothing blocks absorption. Complexion complaint: Freckles and age spots
Fix them in your bathroom. Free radicals attack healthy pigment cells, resulting in dark patches. Green tea has been praised as one of the most powerful antioxidants, neutralizing the offenders and preventing their aging effects. But other more potent, next-generation antioxidants may help reverse spots the way Rx treatments do, with less irritation. Getting the most attention: CoffeeBerry, a fruit that absorbs about 50 percent more free radicals than green tea. “It has the ability to repair similar to a retinoid,” says David McDaniel, assistant professor of clinical dermatology and plastic surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Virginia Beach, who conducted trials on the ingredient. Others that are proving powerful: blue ginger and bearberry. Apply twice daily; top with sunscreen in the morning to seal in the ingredients and prevent the sun from reversing your efforts.
Copyright © 2007 CondéNet. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20092944/ Inner Peace in an Uncertain Life
That's when I went looking for what would create an unshakable core of inner peace. When all bets were off, I wanted one sure thing that would guarantee a happy ending to a crazy nightmare. I wanted it for myself, but just as much, I wanted it for all the people I knew who had struggled with life's curveballs. I could live without my house, my job or running water for a while. But without peace, life would feel more threatening than thrilling; more empty than full. I started to find peace in the hundreds of emails, phone calls and faxes that were coming in from good people everywhere who wanted to help. It was in the essence of their stories and messages. Although few had ever survived a flood, all had experienced "natural disasters" of one kind or another. I cried as I read stories of absolute, complete surrender and roared with tales of the impossible made real. They talked of seeing the beauty in others, taking a first step towards something that would be fun or reinventing a new role for themselves. I posted the essence of these stories on my computer, and in time, I could see that we all have ten gifts. Everyone has the Ten Gifts The gifts are natural wonders common to every man, woman and child on this planet. They can be used to help us escape trouble or create amazing new opportunities. Regardless of why we use our gifts, what we get is what we need when the past is gone and the future is unclear: Inner peace. Working with this peace, things have turned out better for me and others than any of thought possible. Those who have ignored them have, more often than not, gotten stuck in a quicksand of frustration, disappointment and bitterness. The Ten Gifts have familiar names, although the definitions are new. The first two help us shake off our fear of punishment or rejection, so we can move forward. The first is Faith, which no longer means, "Be patient." Using the gift of Faith offers an immediate payback, as it asks the question: "What problem or opportunity can I surrender to God?" The gift of Love follows, now much larger than a simple rush of feeling for another. It asks, "What beauty do I see in this person before me?" During the flood, tens of thousands of people either lived with or were fed or helped by total strangers. Without the gift of Love, there would have been unrelenting distrust. With it, there was not a single story of harm. As the first two gifts help remove barriers of tension and reluctance, the next two put us back in touch with the desires of our hearts and souls, the places where our creator resides within us. The gift of Dreams is unique to human beings, as we are the only species on the planet capable of imagining something better for ourselves. It asks the question, "What would make me happy now?" The answer is assisted by the next gift, Courage, which is no longer bravery or risk, but rather, something that is much, much more challenging for most of us. It asks, "What would be fun to try to make my dream come true?" Peace is made real by Unity and Joy The next two gifts align us with the best in the people around us, and help us feel peaceful as we work and cooperate with others to create visions that are far greater than anything we can do alone. The gift of Unity is no longer consensus, but the answer to the question, "Who can help me?" It is followed by the gift of Joy, which is not the happiness that life brings to you, but an unbridled enthusiasm for life that is expressed by and through you. Joy asks the question, "How can I share whatever happiness I have?" Trust and Character are the next two gifts. As we grow more comfortable with our Source and the world around us, these gifts make us peaceful with ourselves. Trust is knowing and responding to the still, small voice within each of us. It is acknowledging the inner radar that tells us that whatever we are thinking, saying or doing is either building or destroying our peace. It asks the question, "When do I feel good?" Our bodies become our barometer, and we can tell by our aches, pains, twinges of regret or tears of joy whether we are on or off track. Trust is a necessary adjunct to the gift of Character, which asks, "What new role do I want to play on life's stage?" As we reinvent ourselves day after day, Character allows us to become the best we can be. Peace is kept by Thanks and Intention The final two gifts fulfill the promise that we are never alone in this wonderful universe, and that ultimately, all is well. The gift of Thanks empowers us to be of value and service to others. It asks the question, "Who or what can I bless with my gifts?" The gift of Intention keeps us safe, no matter what. Even if appearances remain uncertain, it allows us to align our souls with a higher power and be ourselves, regardless of conditions around us. It asks the questions: "What now? What next?" As the holiday season dawns, I use my ten gifts to experience life no longer as a seeker, but as a finder of peace. It is everywhere: in me, in you and in everyone and everything else. There is nowhere that peace is not, if we choose to acknowledge it. It's in the surrender caused by the storm that closes roads and forces everyone to stay home for a day. It's in blessing the work and errands that are ours to do. It's alive in loving tears of reunion and released when we have the courage to lay aside our work and pause long enough to share laughter with friends. Peace is in the music of kindness and the lighting of candles. It's a shared table, an open door, a willing heart. In my religious tradition, we have a holiday called Hanukkah, a word which means "dedication." If we dedicate ourselves to peace, if we are willing to have it and use it and enjoy it, we will be gifted in ways few of us have ever imagined. I wish you peace, not only in the coming weeks, but for the rest of your life. For when you have peace and live it, life will never again threaten who you are or what you have. Of that, I am certain. 10 Thinking Sins (Time 4 U Thursday)Can You Spot These 10 Thinking Sins?I wish I had a dime for every time I heard someone making a negative comment about me, about others, about themselves. That last is really the worst. I could retire on those dimes. The thing is, life could be so much better for many people, if they would just spot their negative thinking habits and replace them with positive ones. Negative thinking, in all its many-splendored forms, has a way of creeping into conversations and our thinking without our noticing them. The key to success, in my humble opinion, is learning to spot these thoughts and squash them like little bugs. Then replace them with positive ones. You’ll notice a huge difference in everything you do. As the Dalai Lama said, “The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.” Let’s take a look at 10 common ways that negative thinking emerges (there are many more, of course) — get good at spotting these patterns, and practice replacing them with positive thinking patterns. It has made all the difference in the world for me. 10 Deadly Sins of Negative Thinking 1. I will be happy once I have _____ (or once I earn $X). Problem: If you think you can’t be happy until you reach a certain point, or until you reach a certain income, or have a certain type of house or car or computer setup, you’ll never be happy. That elusive goal is always just out of reach. Once we reach those goals, we are not satisfied — we want more. Solution: Learn to be happy with what you have, where you are, and who you are, right at this moment. Happiness doesn’t have to be some state that we want to get to eventually — it can be found right now. Learn to count your blessings, and see the positive in your situation. This might sound simplistic, but it works. Problem: We’ll never be as pretty, as talented, as rich, as sculpted, as cool, as everyone else. There will always be someone better, if you look hard enough. Therefore, if we compare ourselves to others like this, we will always pale, and will always fail, and will always feel bad about ourselves. This is no way to be happy. Solution: Stop comparing yourself to others, and look instead at yourself — what are your strengths, your accomplishments, your successes, however small? What do you love about yourself? Learn to love who you are, right now, not who you want to become. There is good in each of us, love in each of us, and a wonderful human spirit in every one of us. 3. Seeing others becoming successful makes me jealous and resentful. Problem: First, this assumes that only a small number of people can be successful. In truth, many, many people can be successful — in different ways. Solution: Learn to admire the success of others, and learn from it, and be happy for them, by empathizing with them and understanding what it must be like to be them. And then turn away from them, and look at yourself — you can be successful too, in whatever you choose to do. And even more, you already are successful. Look not at those above you in the social ladder, but those below you — there are always millions of people worse off than you, people who couldn’t even read this article or afford a computer. In that light, you are a huge success. 4. I am a miserable failure — I can’t seem to do anything right. Problem: Everyone is a failure, if you look at it in certain ways. Everyone has failed, many times, at different things. I have certainly failed so many times I cannot count them — and I continue to fail, daily. However, looking at your failures as failures only makes you feel bad about yourself. By thinking in this way, we will have a negative self-image and never move on from here. Solution: See your successes and ignore your failures. Look back on your life, in the last month, or year, or 5 years. And try to remember your successes. If you have trouble with this, start documenting them — keep a success journal, either in a notebook or online. Document your success each day, or each week. When you look back at what you’ve accomplished, over a year, you will be amazed. It’s an incredibly positive feeling. 5. I’m going to beat so-and-so no matter what — I’m better than him. And there’s no way I’ll help him succeed — he might beat me. Problem: Competitiveness assumes that there is a small amount of gold to be had, and I need to get it before he does. It makes us into greedy, back-stabbing, hurtful people. We try to claw our way over people to get to success, because of our competitive feelings. For example, if a blogger wants to have more subscribers than another blogger, he may never link to or mention that other blogger. However, who is to say that my subscribers can’t also be yours? People can read and subscribe to more than one blog. Solution: Learn to see success as something that can be shared, and learn that if we help each other out, we can each have a better chance to be successful. Two people working towards a common goal are better than two people trying to beat each other up to get to that goal. There is more than enough success to go around. Learn to think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity. 6. Dammit! Why do these bad things always happen to me? Problem: Bad things happen to everybody. If we dwell on them, they will frustrate us and bring us down. Solution: See bad things as a part of the ebb and flow of life. Suffering is a part of the human condition — but it passes. All pain goes away, eventually. Meanwhile, don’t let it hold you back. Don’t dwell on bad things, but look forward towards something good in your future. And learn to take the bad things in stride, and learn from them. Bad things are actually opportunities to grow and learn and get stronger, in disguise. 7. You can’t do anything right! Why can’t you be like Johnny? Problem: This can be said to your child or your subordinate or your sibling. The problem? Comparing two people, first of all, is always a fallacy. People are different, with different ways of doing things, different strengths and weaknesses, different human characteristics. If we were all the same, we’d be robots. Second, saying negative things like this to another person never helps the situation. It might make you feel better, and more powerful, but in truth, it hurts your relationship, it will actually make you feel negative, and it will certainly make the other person feel negative and more likely to continue negative behavior. Everyone loses. Solution: Take the mistakes or bad behavior of others as an opportunity to teach. Show them how to do something. Second, praise them for their positive behavior, and encourage their success. Last, and most important, love them for who they are, and celebrate their differences. 8. Your blog sucks. It’s super lame. You should stop writing, because you’re a moron and I hope you never reproduce. Problem: I’ve actually gotten this comment before. It feels wonderful. However, let’s look at it not from the perspective of the person receiving this kind of comment (whether it’s on a blog or anywhere else) but from the perspective of the person giving it. How does saying something negative like this help you? I guess it might feel good to vent if you feel like your time has been wasted. But really, how much of your time has been wasted? A few minutes? And whose fault is that? The bloggers or yours? There are a million lousy blogs out there — you chose to come to this one, and you are responsible for your own actions and their consequences. In truth, making negative comments just keeps you in a negative mindset, and certainly doesn’t help the blogger. It’s also not a good way to make friends. Solution: Learn to offer constructive solutions, first of all. Instead of telling someone their blog sucks, or that a post is lame, offer some specific suggestions for improvement. Help them get better. If you are going to take the time to make a comment, make it worth your time. Second, learn to interact with people in a more positive way — it makes others feel good and it makes you feel better about yourself. And you can make some great friends this way. That’s a good thing. 9. Oh yeah? Well up yours too! Problem: If someone insults you or angers you in some way, insulting them back and continuing your anger only transfers their problem to you. This person was probably having a bad day (or a bad year) and took it out on you for some reason. If you reciprocate, you are now having a bad day too. His problem has become yours. Not only that, but the cycle of insults can get worse and worse until it results in violence or other negative consequences — for both of you. Solution: Let the insults or negative comments of others slide off you like Teflon. Don’t let their problem become yours. In fact, try to understand their problem more — why would someone say something like that? What problems are they going through? Having a little empathy for someone not only makes you understand that their comment is not about you, but it can make you feel and act in a positive manner towards them — and make you feel better about yourself in the process. 10. I don’t think I can do this — I don’t have enough discipline. Maybe some other time. Problem: If you don’t think you can do something, you probably won’t. Especially for the big stuff. Discipline has nothing to do with it — motivation and focus has everything to do with it. And if you put stuff off for “some other time”, you’ll never get it done. Negative thinking like this inhibits us from accomplishing anything. Solution: Turn your thinking around: you can do this! You don’t need discipline. Find ways to make yourself a success at your goal. If you fail, learn from your mistakes, and try again. Instead of putting a goal off for later, start now. And focus on one goal at a time, putting all of your energy into it, and getting as much help from others as you can. You can really move mountains if you start with positive thinking. Stop & Smell the Roses .. (Time 4 U Thursday)Entry for Thursday, August 2
This is the 2nd day of August! Have you joined the monthly challenge yet??
Stop and Smell the Roses… Really!
Intellectually, we know that everyday is a good day. We are well acquainted with the proverbs: the glass is half full instead of half empty and it could always be worse. However, emotionally many of us just don't feel that way. Why don't we feel that same sense of joyous, childhood wonder we used to? Never mind the cup being half-empty, many of us claim not to even hold a cup! Savor the Little Things (Time 4 U Thursday)Entry for Thursday, July 26 |
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You will need: |
Lukewarm water
Skin cleanser
Exfoliant
Cotton balls
Skin tonic
Skin mask (you may also use some of our natural recipes)
Optional 1 chamomile tea bag or ¼ cup of chamomile tea
Clean towel
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Steps |
Before you start
Timing. Set about 30 minutes for this activity. Select the place where you will do your facial, preferably your bathroom or bedroom. You will need to lie down for the mask and will need a chair to sit down for the other steps (you may also stand if you wish).
Organization: Make sure that you have everything that you will need in one place. This is a relaxing activity, so make sure you have everything handy and no last minute rushes.
Steamy stuff. You will steam your face to open the pores and let the impurities out. You can put about 5 cups of water to boil. You can use only plain water or add some herbs such as chamomile, lavender, calendula or other calming herbs. You can also use a couple of drops of chamomile, rose or lavender essential oil (just 2 or 3 drops; you do not want to irritate your eyes). If you have roses at home, you can put rose petals in the water.
Make the chamomile tea and put some ice cubes to make it cold. If you do not have the tea, simply use cold water. Submerge two pieces of cotton; you will use them to relax your eyes during the mask.
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The Process |
Clean your skin: Make sure that there is no makeup left. Clean gently around your eyes and use circular motion.
Exfoliate: Apply your exfoliator with gentle circular movements. Rinse with water.
Steaming time: When the water is boiling, lower the temperature if you are using a steamer. Or put the water in a bowl and bring it to the place you are going to do the facial. Put a towel over you head to preserve the steam and lean face over the bowl, about a foot away. The steam has to feel nice, although at moments it may feel overpowering. If you feel a burning sensation, stop! The temperature is probably too high for you or you are too close to the bowl. Keep the steam going for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Extraction: We all have black and white heads. The steam eliminates a lot of them, but if you see any visible black heads, this is the time to get them out. You may cover your nails with cotton if they are too long. You will use only your fingers or a special extraction tool to press around and get the impurities out. Most experts do not recommend touching pimples because you may spread the infection or make it bigger and leave scars later on. Be gentle. Apply toner on your skin using cotton or a sprayer.
The mask: You may select your mask according to your skin needs: if you have an oily skin, a purifying mask will be great; if you have dry or normal skin, or in winter time, a deep moisturizing mask will be better.
Apply the mask all over our face, lie down if you like and put soft music on. Place the cotton balls on your eyes. Leave the mask on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Relax.
Take the mask off with lukewarm water and apply toner again. Proceed further by applying your regular moisturizer and eye cream. If you are going to be expose yourself to the sun, apply sun protection.
Have a calming drink such as a warm decaffeinated tea or just plain water.
Frequency: Depending on you skin type you may do a facial every week or every other week.
Enjoy a Movie at home (Time 4 U Thursday)
How to Enjoy a Movie at Home
Yeah of course, we have all seen movies. But have you ever actually enjoyed it and watched it right? If not, here are some steps to improve your home cinema experience.
Steps
- Choose your movie. Try to get something everyone will enjoy.
- Get some snacks. Don't get food you aren't going to eat. Make it your favorite type of snack food. If your friends like something else, give them what they want. If they don't eat, you won't feel comfortable and you won't have fun.
- When you get home, either call up your friends and invite them over or watch it all alone. Doesn't matter.
- Get your TV room, living room, whatever room very comfortable and put lots of blankets in front of the TV. Get a great spot on the couch. Stake your claim and get a comfortable spot where you can pile pillows on top of pillows.
- Unplug the phone, or let your answering machine do what you bought it to do.
12 Suggestions (Time 4 U Thursday)
12 SUGGESTIONS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF
Thomas Wright, LMFT
1. Learn to air your feelings.
Don't keep them bottled up inside you. Share your sorrows and disappointments with someone you trust. Remember, expressed feelings are changed feelings.
2. Avoid comparing yourself with others by admiring their gifts and ignoring your gifts.
This kind of envy causes self-disgust. Put no one's head higher than your own.
3. Form a small group of people you can call on for emotional support.
Agree to "be there" for each other. Offer advice only when it is asked for. Listen without interrupting. Take turns talking and listening.
4. Take time to play.
Remember that play is any activity that you do just because it feels good. Remind yourself that you deserve to take time to play.
5. Don't forget to laugh, especially at yourself.
Look for the humor in things around you. Let your hair down more often. Do something silly and totally unexpected from time to time.
6. Learn to relax.
You can find books, tapes, programs, classes, instructors and other materials to teach you how to relax. Relaxation improves the mind, helps the body heal, and feels so much better than stress and tension.
7. Protect your right to be human.
Don't let others put you on a pedestal. When people put you on a pedestal, they expect you to be perfect and feel angry when you let them down.
8. Learn to say no.
As you become comfortable saying no to the unreasonable expectations, requests or demands of others you will discover that you have more compassion. When you do say yes to others, you will feel better about yourself and the people you're responding to.
9. Change jobs if you are miserable at work.
First, try to figure out if the job is wrong for you or if certain people are causing you to feel miserable at work. Try paying more attention to the things you enjoy about your job and less attention to the things that annoy you. Remember that all jobs have some unpleasant aspects.
10. Stretch your muscles.
Break a sweat. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. Park farther from the door. Take the stairs. You don't need fancy clothes, club memberships or expensive equipment to add exercise to your daily life.
11. Practice being a positive, encouraging person.
Each time you give others a word of encouragement you not only feel better, but you build up your best self.
12. Pay attention to your spiritual life.
Slow down. Practice sitting quietly. Listen to your inner voice. Spend time thinking about the things which bring peace, beauty and serenity to your life. Find the courage to follow your own spiritual path if a traditional religion has not been helpful for you.
Steps toward a Better Self-Image (Time 4 U Thursday)
Steps Toward a Better Self-Image
See yourself in a positive light.
To be successful, you must be filled with conviction, and this requires a healthy self-image and the right motivation.
Here are some suggestions on how to boost your self-esteem.
Practice Meditation (Time 4 U Thursday)
Practice Meditation
The many benefits of steady breathing and focused thinking.
Sitting comfortably with your back straight, breathe steadily and focus your mind on your breath as it flows in and out of your lungs. After a few minutes, visualize pleasant, tranquil surroundings such as the seashore or a woodland riverside. Playing a tape of soothing music can also help create the right mood.
How to find free time (Time 4 U Thursday)
How to Find Free Time (from eHow.com)
Introduction
Instructions
Steps
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Step Four
Step Five
Step Six
Step Seven
Step Eight
Tips & Warnings
- Treat the time you schedule for yourself as if it were a meeting with an important client. Turn off the phone. You can return messages at your convenience.
- If you have kids, let them help with the housework and yard work. Even though their work may not be up to your standards, it helps them learn and leaves more time for you. Arrange carpools, hire a baby sitter or form a play group to squeeze in some valuable personal time.
- Resist the temptation to delay time for yourself until everything on your list is done.
- Learn to say no to social events, committees and projects that you do not really enjoy and that rob you of personal time.
Make Your Skin Naturally Glow (Time 4 U Thursday)
Make Your Skin Naturally Glow
Achieve healthy skin with these fast tricks
Skin-Deeper
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In particular, the skin is the first layer of your immune system, serving as a shield between you and legions of germs such as viruses and bacteria. It also protects your insides from sun, cold, scrapes, cuts, and moisture. And, of course, your sense of touch is crucial for everyday function.
Like any part of your internal body, your skin can be healthy or ill. It can be well nourished or malnourished. It can be exercised, and it can wear down with age or abuse. In particular, as we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. Plus, other, more unpleasant things happen to our skin. Things like wrinkles, age spots, dark circles, and large pores, which tend to turn up like uninvited guests at a wedding.
While you can't control your age, you can control numerous other factors that accelerate this aging process, including excessive exposure to sunlight, loss of estrogen during menopause, poor dietary habits, stress, and cigarette smoking.
Unlike the other organs of your body, you can apply medicines, moisturizers, and other healthy potions directly to the skin. For that reason alone, there is absolutely no reason you can't have healthy, attractive skin throughout your life. To keep your skin and face young and healthy, and to maintain its natural, protective moisture, follow these tips.
1. Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter, cooler sprays. Long, hot showers strip skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils, says Andrea Lynn Cambio, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool.
2. Check the dryness of your skin by scratching a small area on your arm or leg with your fingernail. If it leaves a white mark, your skin is indeed dry and needs both moisture and exfoliation (that is, removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells).
3. Treat your neck and chest like an extension of your face. Your neck and upper chest area is covered by very sensitive skin, making it a prime spot for telltale signs of aging such as dryness, sun spots, and wrinkles, says Susie Galvez, owner of Face Works Day Spa in Richmond, Virginia, and author of Hello Beautiful: 365 Ways to Be Even More Beautiful. To keep this area youthful, use facial cleansing creams that hydrate and cleanse gently rather than deodorant soaps, which can be drying. Top it all off with a good facial moisturizing cream. If this area is extra dry, use a facial moisturizing mask twice a month.
4. Run a humidifier every night in the winter to moisturize the air in your bedroom. Not only will it ease itchy, dry skin, you'll be able to breathe the moist air more easily.
Ten Ways to Relax on the Go (Time 4 U Thursday)
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Ten Ways to Relax on the Go - by Mike Moore |
1. Take three deep breaths slowly. It really works to relax the body and mind.
2. Relax the tongue. Usually the tongue is held tightly against the teeth. Free it up in the mouth so it can just rest there without tension.
3. Take one minute vacations. In your mind visit places where you find peace and stillness. Picture yourself there soaking up the beauty and solitude.
4. Relax your facial muscles. When we are tense we frown and squint which adds to the tension. Tell your facial muscles to relax and they will. Try to maintain this relaxed face throughout the day.
5 .Move slowly. When you find yourself rushing for no reason, SLOW DOWN.
6. Laugh more. Laughter cuts stress and promotes relaxation.
7. Listen to beautiful music. Mozart calms the restless spirit.
8. Watch and enjoy the sunset.
9. Visualize yourself as a balloon being inflated. As you breathe in, the balloon fills with your stress and tension. Then breathe out all the stress and tension leaving yourself limp and relaxed.
10. Enjoy the rhythm and beauty of nature for its lessons are patience and peace.
Some of these are so silly sounding... they probably actually work!! I think I'll try #3, often...
Do you talk to yourself? Maybe you should.
Self Talk
Develop the Habit of Healthy Self -Talk!
by Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.
"I shouldn't have eaten that chocolate cake! I'm so stupid. I'm just a hopeless case. My family stresses me out and undermines my self-control. I'll never get down to a size 10. I should just give up! "
Do you ever say things like this to yourself? This kind of thinking is called "negative self-talk." It sounds pretty dismal, doesn't it? Let's play the conversation again, this time with positive self-talk.
"I wish I hadn't eaten that chocolate cake! It wasn't a good choice, and I'm smart enough to make good choices. Looking back, I realize I wasn't hungry. I was stressed, and I was only wanting to calm down. So how can I calm down in a healthy, positive way? I'm determined to get to size 10, and mistakes are just part of the learning process."
Which is going to give you more motivation to maintain healthy habits---negative or positive self-talk? Self-talk is internal dialog---the words we use when we talk to ourselves. According to psychologist Dr. Shad Helmstetter, our self-talk reflects and creates our emotional states. You can feel calm or worried, depending on what you tell yourself. Your self-talk can influence your self-esteem, outlook, energy level, performance, and relationships with others. It can even affect your health, determining, for example, how you handle stressful events, or how easily you replace unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones.
You can change your negative self-talk with awareness and practice. This article teaches you how to recognize negative self-talk, and how to develop the habit of positive self-talk. Below are some types of negative self-talk, paired with positive alternatives.
Replace the Negative with the Positive
Focusing only on problems: This is the essence of complaining. We dwell on the problem, instead of solutions. Instead: Assume most problems have solutions, and ask "How do I want this situation to be different?"
Catastrophizing: Every bad thing that happens is a horrible disaster. Instead: Be realistic in your assessment and stop scaring yourself. Yes, bad things do happen, and many bad things are often inconveniences, mistakes, and foul-ups---not necessarily traumas, tragedies, or disasters.
Expecting the worst: "What if he doesn't like me?" "What if I don't pass the exam?" Expecting the worst does not encourage you to behave effectively. Expecting the worst only promotes anxiety. Instead: Ask questions that presuppose positive outcomes. "How can I make a favorable impression?" "How can I prepare for the exam?"
Stereotyping: By putting others, and ourselves, into preconceived categories, we avoid thinking of people as unique individuals. This leads to strained relationships, and gives us an undeserved sense of superiority or inferiority. It also often deprives us of opportunities to know and understand the giftedness of those whom we stereotype. Instead: Remind yourself that we are all human beings, with unique personalities, each having qualities and shortcomings.
Shoulds: Should, ought, must, have to... used carelessly, these words presuppose rules and standards for behavior that do not exist in reality. They imply a consequence for noncompliance, and often evoke quilt. For example, according to the law, we "should" obey posted speed limits, or pay a fine. Is it equally true that "I should be smarter than I am." or "I ought to be married by now."?--Of course not! Instead: Replace the words should, ought, or must with the word "COULD" and realize the gift of choices.
Thinking in Absolutes: We exaggerate reality with words like "always," "never," and "everyone," as in "I always eat too much--I will never be slim." Instead: Replace exaggeration with words that more accurately reflect reality. Example "I often eat more than I need, but I can change that."
All or Nothing Thinking: We distort reality by thinking only in extremes. Our efforts become total failures or complete successes---with nothing in between. Example: "Either I lose two pounds by Sunday, or I quit exercising." Instead: Chunk down your perceptions to see the parts of the whole, which can be positive, negative, and in-between. Give yourself options or choices whenever possible. Example: "I want to lose two pounds by Sunday. Even one pound would indicate that exercise is helping. If my weight stays the same, I'll experiment with variations in nutrition and exercise until I reach my goal."
Negative labels: Negative labels are the tools we use to lower self-esteem in ourselves and others. Example: "I'm stupid," or "I'm fat." When we say phrases like these often, they become a part of our identity and we can begin to dislike who we are. Instead: Remember, people are not their faults or shortcomings. You may engage in stupid behavior occasionally, but that doesn't make you a stupid person. Change your negative "I-am" statement into a statement about behaviors. Example: "I make unhealthy choices when it comes to food." It's easier to change a behavior, than to change your identity.
Blaming: We assign guilt, instead of solving the problem. If we can blame others, then we can feel vindicated in a wrong-doing, and avoid responsibility. Instead: Focus on what YOU can do to promote a solution to the problem.
"Yes but..." Arguments: When someone offers a possible solution to our problems, we "yes but..." and list reasons why the proposed solution won't work. "Yes but..." says "I'm really not listening to you right now." Instead: Open up to new possibilities and consider alternatives. Really listen to advice and give it a fair hearing, before dismissing it so quickly.
Overgeneralizing: This is similar to stereotyping and thinking in absolutes. It means that we take a single instance or occurrence, and generalize it to numerous other situations. Example: "Joe is a nice man, and he doesn't want to date me. Therefore: No nice man will ever want to date me." When misused, this kind of generalizing can lead to illogical conclusions. Instead: Ask yourself whether there could be exceptions to your generalization. Does a single occurrence mean it will happen every time?
Now you know what negative self-talk sounds like. Negative self-talk is usually a mixture of half-truths, poor logic, and distortions of reality that perpetuates negative emotions, such as pessimism, guilt, fear, and anxiety. It often occurs when in times of emotional turmoil, or when we are going through stress or a personal transition.
When you catch your negative self-talk, take a deep breath, relax, and remove yourself from the situation. Get up and stretch, or take a walk, or get a drink of water, in order to interrupt your train of thought and get out of the negative rut. Write down some of your negative thoughts and then ask yourself "Are the things I'm saying true? Are there other possibilities and meanings that I could get from these circumstances?" Then replace your negative thoughts with realistic, positive thoughts---and write those down too. Soon you'll stop that self-talk in mid-sentence. If you have difficulty changing your self-talk, you may have clinical depression, and a psychotherapist could help you.
Affirmations
One way to reprogram your self-talk is by repeating positive affirmations until you begin to get a good sense of what positive thinking really sounds like. After all, much self-talk is actually negative affirmations. Our emotions, perceptions, and behaviors are shaped by our most dominant thoughts. Advocates of affirmations theorize that our frequent thoughts represent goals which the subconscious mind strives to actualize. What we most often tell ourselves can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you want to explore the power of positive affirmations, follow these guidelines.
- Personalize your affirmations with with words like "I," "me," and "my." You can't always control circumstances or other people, so make your affirmations about what you can control---yourself. Make your affirmations state your own goals, wants, and values---not someone else's.
- Some authors say affirmations are best stated in the present tense, because, if affirmations are in future tense ("I will...") your subconscious mind feels no urgency to act NOW. If you feel hypocritical stating affirmations in the present tense (as in "I am slender and healthy") then state your affirmations as a process (as in "Each day I am become more slender and healthier.")
- Make your affirmations believable and realistic so that you can say them with sincerity. Begin with small, easily achievable goals, and work your way up to bigger accomplishments. "My self control is perfect." is probably more believable as "I have self-control most of the time."
- State affirmations in the positive. To say "I don't eat fatty foods," only focuses your attention on the behavior you want to avoid. Instead say "I eat nutritious foods."
- Make affirmations short and easy to remember. Catchy slogans stay with us longer than essays.
- Repeat your positive affirmations often and positive thinking will become routine.
To maintain positive self-talk, fill your mind with uplifting ideas. Recognize your strengths. Comfort yourself when things go wrong. Let your self-talk be like the soothing, supportive words of a counselor, friend, or mentor. As you improve your self-talk, commit to changing your actions accordingly. Lasting accomplishments come when we change our behaviors as well as our thinking.
Thanksgiving Woes
Hi Everyone.
I decided to take a minute to explain today's post. With Thanksgiving weekend in front of us ( for the Canadian's in the house). There is alot of headaches about what to do in regards to food. I have been giving thisa huge deal of thought as well.
This morning Rusty sent this recipe to me and in part of taking time for yourself. I am going to post the recipe today. So in part of taking time for yourself take that one worry out of your head and relax in the moments this worry would waste. have a hot cup of green tea, read a book, stretch out and unwind. Anything you want to do. Just don't stress over what to eat to stay within points.
If anyone else has any WW or low fat recipes for Thanksgiving dinner please pass them along to my email addy and I will post them along with this one from Rusty. Enjoy the day everyone.
Sweet Potato Casserole
POINTS Value l 2
Servings l 8
Ingredients
3 cups sweet potatoes
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground mace
1/2 tsp salt
6 oz Sweet 'N Low Brown Granulated sugar substitute
1/2 cup raisens
8 oz can pineapple chunks
2 cups Kraft Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 baking pan with Pam. Bake the Sweet Potatoes until a fork inserted in the center meets no resistance ( approx. 45 min) Remove the skins and mash until smooth.
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